By default, Google Chrome download prompts or status appear within the downloads shelf at the bottom of the screen. On the other hand, Microsoft Edge downloads show up in the toolbar when you’re downloading something, and it’s also possible to pin the Downloads button or hub to the Microsoft Edge toolbar.
Google could be working on a similar feature for Chrome, according to a new post on Chromium. It looks like Google wants to move away from the bottom-toolbar version of the downloads feature and add the downloads button or shortcut to the toolbar, similar to how Edge handles downloads.
According to a post on Chromium, Google is testing support for a new download icon in the toolbar. Google says this change is part of the download UX redesign for Chrome and it plans to use Download bubble instead of download shelf in a future release of the browser which is expected in early 2022.
If a Download icon is added to the toolbar, it would remain visible when downloads are in progress or if you initiated a download in the past 24 hours. Downloads hub could also remain tied to the toolbar of the browser, according to code changes made on Chromium.
As mentioned above, Chrome’s new downloads UX will be similar to Microsoft Edge’s downloads hub.
Accent support
Chrome 96 was a big release, but there’s more to come and Google has already started working on the next big update.
As per Chromium posts, Google is bringing an updated design for Windows 11 devices with support for rounded corners.
The new rounded corners update for the browser’s built-in menu will be enabled by default in a future release.
Additionally, Google wants to update Chrome to match Windows 11 aesthetic including the theme/accent colours. This would be a Windows-specific change and it will allow you to pick an accent colour from Windows settings and apply it to the browser, including its bookmark popup, buttons, etc.
New clipboard features
Google is also working with Microsoft on a new feature that will allow users to copy-and-paste a wide range of clipboards contents between the browser and native apps on Windows 10/11.
This feature is expected to arrive in 2022 and it is particularly useful if you frequently use web-based photo or text editors.
